Hi Indi,
Sorry for the time taken to reply - this is/was a crazy week.
-----
However , got a query. You wrote you had to guess few questions at the end because of time shortage. Still you managed good score, is it that you did really well at the start . (1)Does that mean you need to give more time to questions at start, say first 10-15 questions?
ngufo: Based on my preparation I got the impression that if you answer the first 10 - 15 question correctly it brings up your score fairly high. I focused a lot on getting the first questions right.
Also, 9 questsions in quant and 11 questions in verbal are research questions. That means out of 37 in quant, 28 are real ones that count up to your score.
As we do not know which ones, so we need to give best shot to every question. However, if you do 90% well in exam, i guess that is best shot. Because most of the tougher last 10% may or may not be taken as exam question.
----
ngufo: Just focus on every question and also the time - itis crticial. You need to know how much time you are spending on each question. It is super important you do not leave any question unanswered.
----
I also watched princeton review cd's where they said first questions if go right then toughness increases and if you do wrong attempts at last, still score will be high. Its relative to wrong questions first and doing right questions at the end.
----
ngufo: Yup - but focus on getting as many questions right without wasting time on quedstions you know you cannot do. I am very bad at probability. In beteween when I came to a probability question read it and knew it was hard (probably 20 question or something), I knew I was short on time, I did just did best guess selection and moved on. but yes it was in the 20's and did not come immediately when i started the test.
---
Secondly,
I have just started with official guide first and pretty comfortable with quant. I need more practice once or twice and i will be fine with it.
Now , coming to reading comprehension and critical reasoning, they are my biggest weakness. (2) can you tell me how to proceed with them? Shall I first start reading how to solve those or shall i start official guide RC & CR ?
----
ngufo: I did not have such tight timelines indi - i started with princeton understood all the concepts, mades *lots of flash cards* specially for the sentence correction. That was super helpful.
I am also attaching a excerpt here, that explains how I was able t tackle the verbal - it was veryhard for me:
----------------------
You make me remember the same pain I went thru when studying for the GMAT. It was excruciating (RC, CR as well as SC) . Let me first start with a very small thing I did which helped me save crazy amount of time - took me some time to figure it out.
Before every question in verbal or quant that I answered I would the following before even reading the question.
7.35
1. A B C D E
7.39
2. A B C D E
The 7.35, 7.39 is the time when I start to answer each question. It would give me a very good idea of how much time I had spent on each question. ( above it shows me that I had spent 4 minutes on question 1). I would know that I had spent a lot of time, and need to pace myself better. The only area I know I could save time was SC, would try to do that, plus it also helped because if I came across a particularly hard question that I knew would take me time, instead of spending another 4 minutes on it (given taht I knew I was running out of time), i would make a best guess on it sooner.
Based on what you have written, it sounds like you are already doing a good job of timing yourself - trust me that is the MOST IMPORTANT THING. Once you get your timing good, I fervently believe that half of the problem for preparing for GMAT is gone. So that is a good first step. The 1 is the question number, and The A B C D E written is the answer choices. Before even reading the question I would write the above down, (it had become a reflex with me). What I would do is that for each answer choice that I was sure is wrong, I would cross the alphabet out (THAT MEANS NO RE-READING THAT ANSWER CHOICE AGAIN). I saved precious time. The ones that had a circle on it, were the ones that could be the potential choices. Wahtever back and forth I did would be between those choices. Once I decided one was out, I would cut that out, adn continue the same process. It really helped me (because beofre, I would end up re-reading all the questions and getting confused
which was better than the other). Writing the time and the alphabets should be come a part of you, before even reading writing it on paper, and then starting!!
Now coming to the CR portion. I tried 300 different techniques . I was so screwed up - nothing seemed to work for me . I tried reading the passage, summarizing it and writing the premise and the conclusion. First reading the question then the passage -EVERYTHING. Just like you I kept asking, trying new things, NEVER GAVE UP. Finally what worked for me literally was PRACTISE. After a lot of practice I realized that "when I read the question, and then read the passage, for some reason after reading the passage I felt the need to re-read the question being asked again". I noticed that consistently at least in me. So I stopped reading the question first. I would read the passage, and keep track of the main flow. Then read teh question - based on that, it was easy to cut out 1-2 straight off the bat (on the alphabets - as I did that it saved me a lot of time). After that yes for the remaining choices, its re-reading the passage and going back and forth. The
funny thing is that over time, when you TIME EVERY CR passage that you do (I timed every question that I did in the Official Maths guide, offical verbal workbook, as well as the Official guide 10th edition). i didnt do a single question without timing it, write the alphabet, and practise cutting things off, and re-reading the remaining options) over time, I just felt I got the hang of it. It was like one day - CR questions didnt feel so painful anymore. I was able to go thru them relatively painlessly - I had my pattern built. "Immediately write the time, write the question number, write the alphabets, Read the passage well (very very focused), read the question - immediately cut the ones that dont make sense), and then go thru the process of re-reading the passage and making decisions. Once you feel comfortable with what you are diong, stick with it. If you are taking 3 minutes, but comfortable with your technique, and getting it right that is GREAT.
Just keep practising and timing. I am very sure, with enough practise, over time, it will get better. In case you are not timing every question in OG make sure you do.
SC: Dude dont try to figure out the solution before reading the answers . That will kill you - I know because that k!IIed me too . I did the exact same for the first 3 months of practise. I HATED SC. i couldnt for the love of god figure out how the hell to get them right. Every damn answer looked good to me!!!!. princeton gave a good technique. See the underlined portion, and then immediately look at the answers (dont even TRY to figure out what should be right). When you see the choices use the 3/2 technique. Based on the answers you will see that 3 questions have similar usage, like " The children have had their dinner and gone to bed". Three choices will show you have and 2 will shwo you has. You immediately no that has is wrong. Cut your alphabets - great now you just have to figure out the remaining three. Now instead of you trying to figure out what is write, compare teh differences between the three ansewrs. Try to see what the author has done
different in those three choices. Often times that helped me figure out what was right (most times what I thought should be there never was - not sure if my english is that bad, or GMAT just sucks ).
finally make a flash card for EVERY sentence correction question you get wrong... I know that sounds crazy, but trust me, that alone helped me get very very good at SC. It was hard to remember all the idioms, all the patterns. I also have a problem of basic informatin retention. I forget things very quickly (had this problem since I was small). Read something then forget . So by making flash cards and swriting it down (I have explained how I made the flash cards), and practising the questions reguarly, I would remember how the sentence patterns were. In 6 months I had 4 big business card boxes of flash cards (used my official business cards as flash cards). I would practise them regularly. Keep in min dthe usage (try to answer without looking at th eanswer. Not by memorizing the anser, but by memorizing what was wroing - like oh there is a parallelis error here, there isan applies and oranges error here so on so forth (I used princeton verbal to learn
the fundamentals. It explains that very easily). By doing that after 6 months of lots of flash cards and lots of revising I started seeing patterns - it became much more easier. It was only then that I got the Manhattan SC book (it would have been too complicated for me earlier). Later on I was able to add on to my base with the book. (I made flash cards, of important concepts from the book too)
RC: Another painful portion for me. Probably the worst. Given my retention problem by the time I would finish reading the passage, I had completely forgotton what the hell the author was talking about . If you talk about crazy frustration and depression - this area k!IIed me. I remember thinking of buying some mental ability tests, to help me fix my retrention issue, to help me focus. I practiced with soem tools on the web -all it helped was giving me a big headache . I tried everything possible - reading all blogs, asking for help, trying to emulate the techniques people mentioned - nothing worked. Finally with a lot of practise and trying new technique I found a way that worked for me. I realized that the first para and the last para, basically control the entire flow of the passage (introduction and summary para). The paras in middle were like e.gs, or details of some specific thing. If I could keep track of what the first and secon para was talking
about, and have a basic understanding of what was in the middle paras, I was able to do a better job of answering my RC. So when I would read, I would read the 1st and last para very carefully. The middle paras, I would skim thru. When flow/passage structure questions were asked (previously I would get them wrong, as I would be reading everything in detail, and forgetting the same after completing the passage). After my new technique I got those questions right. For questions in which they asked a specific question about the passage, it was easy enough to go and re-read a few lines to get the exact answer - BINGO. I was just so excited the day it started working for me. It happened out of the blue - one day nothing was happening the next day it just happend....
-------------------
My timelines are very tight, just started one week ago. And am appearing in august first week. I am working professional so weekends are main dependencies of preparation and an hour on weekdays.
Thanks for your time. I built up the confidence after seeing your modesty n down to earth approach to help everyone out here.
----
ngufo: Not modesty - it is the truth. If I was to write GMAT today, I would e surprised if I got more than 450. Give me another 6 months - I will nail it again. Hard work/smart preparation can get you anything - am sure you will do well as well!!
All the best, hope this helps
------------
Thanks.
GMAT 720 95%(Q49,V40)(people never fail - they just give up)
-
sunkissedsnow
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:07 am
Hi ngufo,
Let me start by congratulating you on your achievement! Your journey is truly inspiring.
My journey has been quite rough to say the least. I am having A LOT of trouble managing my time in math and verbal section. I've read a ton of info about how much time you can spend on a question and that sort of thing, but no one really tells you how to get so fast in answering a question. It takes me 5 mins just to understand a question after reading it again and again 10 times! By the time I answer the question, I realize I have already spent 20 mins on it.
I feel completely hopeless because it takes me so long to understand the questions (and even the answers for the verbal section). English has always been my best subject throughout school and I love to write and read, but obviously I just can't get my crap together when it comes to the GMAT. Does it all basically come down to practice, going over solutions, learning the techniques, and flash cards? Do you have any other suggestions that may help me? I have taken the GMAT twice already and I still need to improve by 50 points. I want to take it again in about 3 weeks. I am not working so I have all the time in the world to practice. However, is there any hope for me in such a short time to improve my score 50 points? What kind of study plan do you advise for me?
I would appreciate any advice you may be able to provide. Thanks!
Let me start by congratulating you on your achievement! Your journey is truly inspiring.
My journey has been quite rough to say the least. I am having A LOT of trouble managing my time in math and verbal section. I've read a ton of info about how much time you can spend on a question and that sort of thing, but no one really tells you how to get so fast in answering a question. It takes me 5 mins just to understand a question after reading it again and again 10 times! By the time I answer the question, I realize I have already spent 20 mins on it.
I feel completely hopeless because it takes me so long to understand the questions (and even the answers for the verbal section). English has always been my best subject throughout school and I love to write and read, but obviously I just can't get my crap together when it comes to the GMAT. Does it all basically come down to practice, going over solutions, learning the techniques, and flash cards? Do you have any other suggestions that may help me? I have taken the GMAT twice already and I still need to improve by 50 points. I want to take it again in about 3 weeks. I am not working so I have all the time in the world to practice. However, is there any hope for me in such a short time to improve my score 50 points? What kind of study plan do you advise for me?
I would appreciate any advice you may be able to provide. Thanks!
-
aimtocrackgmat
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:29 am
- Location: Mumbai
hi ngufo,
What a wonderful story, I really inspired by ur sory...I hope now u r already at Harvard..best wishes frm my side...
once again thank u very much for sharing such an awe inspiring story
regds
Vijay
What a wonderful story, I really inspired by ur sory...I hope now u r already at Harvard..best wishes frm my side...
once again thank u very much for sharing such an awe inspiring story
regds
Vijay
-
ayan116
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2009 9:58 am
- Location: Kolkata
- GMAT Score:710
Did I beat the GMAT? I am not so sure about it - so thought about discussing with you guys.
Well I sat for the test today - full of confidence (although I had a sleepless night). but midway through the Quans section, i just lost it. I guess I panicked. I saw I was running out of time, and that affected my concentration. Note: For future test takers, the most important thing to beat the GMAT is nerve. You may have scored well consistently in the mock tests, sitting at home, having the luxury of knowing that it is just a mock test. But it is such a different ball game when it comes to the actual test. The questions are similar, yet you tend to get distracted. If you can control your nerves, you are more llikely to perform well. So keep this point in mind.
Anyway, I had to guess several questions (without even eliminating few of the qrong choices - 1 out of 5 chance to get it right), which enabled me to finish the section on a strong note. And I think I did well in the first few questions of the section. Also, it may so happen that the questions I gueessed randomly were experimental questions. We wil never know. So let us forget it - but I had to face a time crisis - that is the bottom line. I got distracted - thoughts crept into my mind - what happens if I score 650 or something etc. Future Test takers - make it a point to not think about anything else but the exam. Never worry about any apparent mistakes and move on.
I took the 8 minute break after the Quans section and was so pissed off with my performance that I could have hit somebody. Anyhow, I willed myself that I wont let the debacle affect my verbal performance. I told myself that I have to make up for a bad Quans section with a good verbal section. (Yes - I screwed up the easier section and hoped to even my score by scoring well on the tougher section).
I finished the verbal section with 5 mins to spare. NEXT NEXT NEXT!!! Annoying questions!! Report/Cancel Score!!! Please wait while your score is being generated.
710: Quans - 48, Verbal - 39. I was really relieved and happy, as I thought my performance was the 650 type. But now the question arises, did I beat the GMAT?? What does it mean to actually beat the GMAT??
My goal is to enter a good B-school. And there is still such a long way to go. I am visibly scared. 710 score reflects a 92 percentile. Thus, 8% of all the test takers have scored more than me. That is a huge number when calculated. A 710 score has been obtained by many more guys like me. I am competing with a huge crowd with results similar to mine. The battle is just half won. GPA, Essays , recos, resume, application to right schools,luck - so many factors are involved. My work ex is of 3 years in the IT industry - and thus my work ex lacks the weight. 3 years in the IT world does not give one the opportunity to shine and show one's leadership skills. My application will be scrutinized and considered - and then maybe I get a call from an Uni. For an interview. there you go - another hurdle. Oh ys - forgot to mention - I have to get TOEFL out of my way as well.
Thus, the next couple of months will be hell for me. A lot of money and time have been invested in this - it would be tough if I am not able to convert you know - which is the bottom line. You have to convert. A good GMAT score is a bonus, but that is not the END ALL!!! Did I beat the GMAT?? I guess not!! :roll:
Well I sat for the test today - full of confidence (although I had a sleepless night). but midway through the Quans section, i just lost it. I guess I panicked. I saw I was running out of time, and that affected my concentration. Note: For future test takers, the most important thing to beat the GMAT is nerve. You may have scored well consistently in the mock tests, sitting at home, having the luxury of knowing that it is just a mock test. But it is such a different ball game when it comes to the actual test. The questions are similar, yet you tend to get distracted. If you can control your nerves, you are more llikely to perform well. So keep this point in mind.
Anyway, I had to guess several questions (without even eliminating few of the qrong choices - 1 out of 5 chance to get it right), which enabled me to finish the section on a strong note. And I think I did well in the first few questions of the section. Also, it may so happen that the questions I gueessed randomly were experimental questions. We wil never know. So let us forget it - but I had to face a time crisis - that is the bottom line. I got distracted - thoughts crept into my mind - what happens if I score 650 or something etc. Future Test takers - make it a point to not think about anything else but the exam. Never worry about any apparent mistakes and move on.
I took the 8 minute break after the Quans section and was so pissed off with my performance that I could have hit somebody. Anyhow, I willed myself that I wont let the debacle affect my verbal performance. I told myself that I have to make up for a bad Quans section with a good verbal section. (Yes - I screwed up the easier section and hoped to even my score by scoring well on the tougher section).
I finished the verbal section with 5 mins to spare. NEXT NEXT NEXT!!! Annoying questions!! Report/Cancel Score!!! Please wait while your score is being generated.
710: Quans - 48, Verbal - 39. I was really relieved and happy, as I thought my performance was the 650 type. But now the question arises, did I beat the GMAT?? What does it mean to actually beat the GMAT??
My goal is to enter a good B-school. And there is still such a long way to go. I am visibly scared. 710 score reflects a 92 percentile. Thus, 8% of all the test takers have scored more than me. That is a huge number when calculated. A 710 score has been obtained by many more guys like me. I am competing with a huge crowd with results similar to mine. The battle is just half won. GPA, Essays , recos, resume, application to right schools,luck - so many factors are involved. My work ex is of 3 years in the IT industry - and thus my work ex lacks the weight. 3 years in the IT world does not give one the opportunity to shine and show one's leadership skills. My application will be scrutinized and considered - and then maybe I get a call from an Uni. For an interview. there you go - another hurdle. Oh ys - forgot to mention - I have to get TOEFL out of my way as well.
Thus, the next couple of months will be hell for me. A lot of money and time have been invested in this - it would be tough if I am not able to convert you know - which is the bottom line. You have to convert. A good GMAT score is a bonus, but that is not the END ALL!!! Did I beat the GMAT?? I guess not!! :roll:
A witty saying proves nothing....
-
helpme4gmat
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:48 pm
CONGRATULATIONSSSS... This story comes as such a big inspiration to average guys like us. You have prepared for 6 long months and now you are enjoying the fruit of your hard work. But, I am not as lucky as you 
I have my exam on Nov 9th and I have just started the preparation. I know I am very late, but circumstances didn't permit. Currently on an onsite project assignment to USA and struggling to make some time. But yes, for now, I will surely spare 4 hours for GMAT in the evenings from now on...
NGUFO and all you friends, can anyone of you suggest me any good methods to tackle this exam in such a limited time?
I heard one of my friends saying, don't ever look at any other books or get swayed by abundant material found on the web. Just make OG your bible and work on it, take practice exams from OG and finally give the GMAT Prep Exam.
This is how I have planned. Its been a long time since I have touched maths. So I am currently going through the Manhattan Series maths, once upon completion will switch to OG. Finally will give my GMAT PREP with 10 days to spare for the finals. Will see if there are any gaps and try to bridge them.
NGUFO and others, please let me know whats your opinion on this. You have to carve the best way out for me to tread. I am in a biiiiig confusion ! Please help !!
Any quick reference, anything that will help me, I request you all to send that to :
helpme4gmat AT gmail.com
Thankyou friends in advance. If I do well, I OWE IT TO YOU ALL... Will keep writing.
I have my exam on Nov 9th and I have just started the preparation. I know I am very late, but circumstances didn't permit. Currently on an onsite project assignment to USA and struggling to make some time. But yes, for now, I will surely spare 4 hours for GMAT in the evenings from now on...NGUFO and all you friends, can anyone of you suggest me any good methods to tackle this exam in such a limited time?
I heard one of my friends saying, don't ever look at any other books or get swayed by abundant material found on the web. Just make OG your bible and work on it, take practice exams from OG and finally give the GMAT Prep Exam.
This is how I have planned. Its been a long time since I have touched maths. So I am currently going through the Manhattan Series maths, once upon completion will switch to OG. Finally will give my GMAT PREP with 10 days to spare for the finals. Will see if there are any gaps and try to bridge them.
NGUFO and others, please let me know whats your opinion on this. You have to carve the best way out for me to tread. I am in a biiiiig confusion ! Please help !!
Any quick reference, anything that will help me, I request you all to send that to :
helpme4gmat AT gmail.com
Thankyou friends in advance. If I do well, I OWE IT TO YOU ALL... Will keep writing.
Hi Ekta..(ngfuo)
I have the same profile as yours - Female/Indian/6yrs of work experience. I had given the GMAT in 2005 and scored 680.
I am planning to give the GMAT in Oct and apply to a few schools this year.I have been trying hard to break the 700 mark, but it seems so tough to break that 700 level.
Do you have any tips on what someone scoring 680 should do differently to cross 700?
Oh and I was curious -- did you get admission in Stanford /HBS or are you applying this year ? I also wanted some advice regarding the application essays and was hoping you would share your experience regarding that.
Thank you much !
I have the same profile as yours - Female/Indian/6yrs of work experience. I had given the GMAT in 2005 and scored 680.
I am planning to give the GMAT in Oct and apply to a few schools this year.I have been trying hard to break the 700 mark, but it seems so tough to break that 700 level.
Do you have any tips on what someone scoring 680 should do differently to cross 700?
Oh and I was curious -- did you get admission in Stanford /HBS or are you applying this year ? I also wanted some advice regarding the application essays and was hoping you would share your experience regarding that.
Thank you much !
hey...awesome post/debrief....one of the best I have ever read!
BTW its the craziness that drives one towards the goal. Though I am not for MBA (not now....but aiming for IE -School, Spain) even though I have 3 years exp....I am really trying hard for Msc Finance course from LSE (London School of Economics) which is the best!
Every time I see Red (that includes red "i" key on my iBall keyboard) I see LSE symbol engraved gracefully into it!
FYI gave my 1st Diagnostic test from Knewton GMAT w/o studying and scored 460 (Q32 and V22). Hope to follow "ngufo's example.
Doing Princeton Review right from today!
BTW its the craziness that drives one towards the goal. Though I am not for MBA (not now....but aiming for IE -School, Spain) even though I have 3 years exp....I am really trying hard for Msc Finance course from LSE (London School of Economics) which is the best!
Every time I see Red (that includes red "i" key on my iBall keyboard) I see LSE symbol engraved gracefully into it!
FYI gave my 1st Diagnostic test from Knewton GMAT w/o studying and scored 460 (Q32 and V22). Hope to follow "ngufo's example.
Doing Princeton Review right from today!
-
meganbaxter1
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:31 pm
great story.
very inspiring.
so what is your current status now
did you get into harvard? or did you happen to go where you had planned?
megan
very inspiring.
so what is your current status now
did you get into harvard? or did you happen to go where you had planned?
megan
ngufo wrote:Ngufo's Story...
NGUFO = (Never Give Up - Fight On)
I just scored a 720 in my GMat last tuesday. I screamed in the exam center with sheer disbelief and excitement. People may have thought
I am a complete gone case - but I can tell you, I believe I got the best score I possibly can, I couldnt have asked for more. I am writing this blog because I believe that my story can and will help other average people out there, sum up the courage to livetheir deams. If I can do it - ANYONE CAN. I am a very average student, whose only strength is that I am willing to work hard.
I also believe that with the right study plan chalked out, and going with your target with determination - ANYONE can score a 700 and above. The path is not easy, but who said anything is impossible - it just takes that little much longer.
It took me 6 months......
Context:
I am an asian indian female who did her masters in computer science from RPI, who has hatedmaths all her life. Surprisingly my whole life has involved studying maths and sciences since day 1. I have been meaning to write the GMAT for the last three years. But just the thought of Maths, had the motivation peter down... I finally decided to write my GMAT this year - I knew this would be my last chance. I aslo work full time, and have a stressful job in a small startup in the bay area. This was going to be hard...
Someone once told me that whatever happens in life happens two times - once in your mind, once in reality. I started with the dream of acing my GMAT and going to Harvard - "If you can see it, you can be it, if you JUST BELIEVE IT, there is nothing to it.....I believed I was going to Harvard"....
Study Details:
My preparation started May 15th, 2007 - I first came to this web site, and read Eric's blog,then I read Ursula's blog (https://beatthegmat.blocked/2005/08 ... efing.html) ,and I also read "Twinslplitters blog. I felt a little intimidated -these guys sounded sharp smart and well smart again. Then started the most important part of my preparation, the planning. Iknew that I was very weak, both in Maths and Verbal,
and neither came naturally to me. I didnt remember any of the maths forumlas, and even a simple ratio and proportion problem was stumping me - I needed to start bottoms up. By reading the blogs, and asking around I created a very extensive study schedule for me.
Step 1: Understand concepts, and formulas
Time frame: May 15 - July 1st.
A. Princeton Maths (https://www.amazon.com/GMAT-Math-Workout ... 092&sr=8-7)
B. Princeton Verbal (https://www.amazon.com/Verbal-Workout-GM ... 145&sr=1-3 )
C. Princeton GMAT 2005 (the Maths and Verbal book) (https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-Sample-T ... =books&qid)
D. Download the Flash Cards link that Eric has provided -its a big big help.
https://www.beatthegmat.com/download-my- ... s-t32.html
Study pattern: I would put in two hours every day from 5 -7 in the evenings on weekdays, and would put in 4 hours each on a Saturday as well as Sunday over the weekend. Sundays for me were for writing my practice GMATs. Saturday for making sure I completed anythign I may have missed over the weekdays (revising things before my practise test on sunday)
Princeton was the key for me. I read every single line of the book, made notes. I spent all of May 15th, to end of June
ensuring that I had gone thru the Maths and Verbal of princeton, and understood the basics of both. I was so bad in maths
and verbal, that I held off on writing the diagnostic test, until I had read a little from the books.
Diagnostic Test: GMAT Prep 1 (didnt do the essays) - Score 460 (It didnt suprise me, it didnt de-motivate me, I just knew. I had to study harder).
The key part of my studies was making sure of the following:
-That any mistake I made any time, I made sure I would not make it again. I also followed Ursula's recommendation, when you make a mistake, dont read the answer immediately. Try to solve it on your own
how much ever time it takes, only when you are really stumped look at the answer. It will help you more.
- Another thing that helped me is, in all the books read the answer to every question. The author provides cool new ways to answer questions (techniques that can help you solve questions better. Sometimes when you answer a question rigth and dont read the explanation, you can miss some cool techniques that could help you do the question faster
- I timed every question I did. Would have a watch next to me. My goal was to do every maths question within 2 minutes, and every verbal within 1.8 mts. I did this timing for every question in OG. It helped me pace myself.
- Note answering all questiosn on the exam is very very important, even if it means guessing some of the quesitons. By being able to time myself by what I said above, it helped better my speed a lot.
- Make sure for both maths and Verbal you make flash cards earlier on. In maths for the important formulae, in verbal I mostly did it for Sentence Correction for any good question, ofr questions with idiosm, or any question I got wrong. The way I made my verbal flash cards were the following
Sentence Correction
Write the questions
where question came from say Princeton Verbal: Page x: question x: Difficulty (HARD, Very hard, medium okay)
Hint - Idiom, parallel, anything else that helps get answer
Answer
The above format form y flash cards helped me a lot. By the end of my exam prep I had 3 full boxes of flash cards, which I read and went before the exam. I believe flash cards are one part of my prep that made a tremendous difference. The above is a tedious effort, and I would get tired of writing flash cards (considering the number of questiosn I was getting wrong - but really do the best you can, this is important)
Princeton Exams Scores:
Princeton CAT 1 (July 1st, 2007): 640
Princeton CAT 2: (July 15th, 2007): 660
Princeton CAT 3: (Aug 11th, 2007): 670
Note I didnt write essays on either of these exams. I was too overwhelmed and just wanted to focus on the Maths/Verbal.
For Princeton I followed Ursulas recommendation of creating detailed spreadsheets showing what I was weak in, what took more time etc.
I am not sure how much this helped me, because I never got a chance to review these again before the exam. It helped me at that time, as it ensuredthat every quesiton I had done wrong, I had analyzed the same, made flash cards, and could answer them if they came again.
I've attached a sample of what I created, but again not sure how useful
this is.
Step 2: Studies Taken further (Kaplan)
Time Frame: July 1st - August 1st
A. Kaplan GRE & GMAT Math Workbook (https://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-GMAT-Exams ... 286&sr=1-2)
B. Kaplan Verbal (https://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-GMAT-Verba ... 333&sr=1-1)
C. Kaplan GMAT 2005 with CD (https://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-GMAT-2005- ... 366&sr=1-1)
Kaplan Exam Scores:
Kaplan CAT 1: July 29th, 550 (was really devastated
Kaplan CAT 2: August 15, 560 (devastation continues)
I donthave my Kaplan 3, 4 scores with me right now, but I remember they were all in the 500 range...
Was pretty disappointed with my Kaplan scores. The exams were very tough. I had read that what you get is generally 50-60 points
below your actual score, but that didnt help me much. I was way behind.
Step 3: Gmat Official Guide: Verbal/Maths
Time frame: August 1st - September end.
1. Maths Offical Guide workbook (https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-GM ... 21_rsrssi0)
2. Verbal Official Guide workbook (https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-GM ... 20_rsrssi0)
Step 4: GMAT Official guide Main book
Time Frame: October 1st - November 26th
1. Official guide 10th Edition (https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-GM ... ch_tsr_rtr)
2. Sentence Correction (Manhattan GMAT) -(https://www.amazon.com/Sentence-Correcti ... 436&sr=1-1) really good book, that helped me hone my SC skills. Studied it in between with my OG prep.
3. Kaplan 800 - (https://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-GMAT-800-2 ... 366&sr=1-2)I bought this book (but it was too tough, and given that
I was focusing on finishing my OG, I never got to do this)
While studying from the Official guides I re-took all my Princeton tests again - I wanted to see if I had improved at all. Also I wanted to write all the exams with essays this time to ensure I had the stamina. I didnt prepare for my essays at this point
Princeton Test 1: 09/30/2007 - 720 (my first 700 and above)
Princeton Test 2: 10/07/2007 - 720
Princeton Test 3: 10/14/2007 - 640
princeton Test 4: 10/20/2007 - 640
Note I wrote essays for all the above tests (and the essays were really bull shitty). I hadnt prepared for essays at this time, was just trying to build my stamina.
I just remember being very depressed and down at this time. I was getting erratic results, and couldnt for the life of me figure out whta the hell I was doing wrong. I just decided I didnt have a choice any more. I would focus on my OG, and then write the GMAT CAT 1, 2, Power Prep 1, 2 all four test are available for free - and would give me a final evaluation of what my score woudl be. I was trying my best what more could I do?
Note the Official Guide has a huge number of questions. To be able to complete them, and still build up my stamina I would get up at 5 in the monring, and would do 20 Questions from Problem solving
20- from Data Sufficiency, 20 from RC, 20 from CR adn 20 from SC, every single day. It would take me around 3 hours to get this done every day. I would make sure whenever I got time I go thru my mistakes.
I CANNOT stress how importnat going thru your mistakes and making flash cards is!!! I never left a single question that I had done wrong, unrevised.
Essays Preparation
Book: Arco:GMAT Answers to the Real Essay Questions.
https://www.buy.com/prod/gmat-answers-to ... 81426.html
I started worrying about my essays mid October. I knew I sucked at essays, and hadnt written a single one for the initial tests. I bought the Arco Essay book and read the instructions for Analysis of the Argument/Issue. I followed instructions that helped me outline my essays much better. I just received my AWA scores and it was a 5.5 - all thanks to this book.
Final Exam Prep
Finally the date for the final exam Nov 27th. It was the thanksgiving weekend, Thursday Friday Saturday sunday.
I wrote my practise prep tests all in that week (my timing was way off), should have writtne them earlier, but there had been
too much of work in the office, and I had been strugglign with finish OG 10th edition 3 hours every day. was tired.
GMAT CAT 1: Nov 22nd (720)
GMAT CAT 2: Nov 23rd (690)
https://www.mba.com/mba/TaketheGMAT/Tool ... ftware.htm
I believe what I got on the above two tests were the best reflection of my capabilities. When I try to see the quant/verbal breakdown
in the GMAT CAT tests now it doesnt show me. But I have always averaged between 38 - 40 in verbal and 47 - 49 in maths.
Power PREP 1: Nov 24rd (750): Q49V44
Power Prep 2: Nov 25th(710): Q48/40
https://www.gorillatestprep.com/gmat_resources.html
I wasnt that excited about the Power prep scores. A lotof the verbal questions were repeats from the OG guide. Hence they were not reflective of my true score I felt.
I also believe that OG is god. Doing maths OG,verbal OG and finally the master of them all OG 10th edition, helped me get better. At the end I had becomevery very good at Data Sufficiency. From a complete duffer to someone who would not make silly mistakes, and do the questions well in time. it really helped me.
Day of the Exam - Drama continues.
I had bled for 6 months on this. It was excruciating. My exam was on Tuesday, on Monday I fell very badly sick. I am not sure if it was psychosomatic, or what the problem was. I had soar throad, cold, cough, and fever. I slept all of monday, got up at 8 in the night feeling like shit, adn very very unhappy wth life in general I could not believe what god was doing to me. How could he - it was so unfair, all this effort, all the determination for what? I called up to see if I could postpone
the exam, they said i was calling too late, I would forfeit the money, unless I could produce medical records. At the back of mind, I jsut wantedto write the damn exam, I wanted to get it over with ......
my husband doubled me up with lots of medicine, and lots of food. I remember crying to my folks about how unfair it was on Monday night. And then something just clicked in my brain. Its happened to me before - when I am beat down, some part of me fight backs. I wasnt going down that easy. I sat down from 8 - 12 in the night, and finished the last few questions from OG data sufficiency and OG Critical reasoning. I wanted to make sure my OG was all doen and complete before I went to the
exam. (I dont recommend this to anyone - a proper night sleep before the exam is essential - unless you have bad luck like me .... )
I went to sleep at 12. I could not sleep the whole bloody night. I was awake - just didnt know how to fall asleep. At 5 with eyes wide open, I just couldnt believe my bad lluck. Got up at 6 in the morning had 2 crocins, a bath. I prayed to god for 5 minutes, asking him to give me strength to go thru whatever comes my way and then went to the exam (it was at eight in the morning). There I find out as I dont have a green card yet, I needed to
get my passport (I had walked in just with my driver's licence - SHIT!!!. My husband went and got me the passport). I entered the room at 8.30.
But at this time with all the stress since the previous night, I was so pissed/frustrated, that I literally started talkign to god telling him that if I didnt get a 700 this time, I would write the exam every single year 3 times for the next n years, until I hit the damn score. I WASNT GIVING UP......
I sat down for the exam, it prompted me to write down which school I wanted my score reported (6 months, crazy effort, fever, soar throat, feeling sick .....) I took a deep breath, took a gulp, and with shaking hands, wrote down Harvard business school. I can tell you this, when the exam started, you could have shot me, and I would hve answered the question with everything I had. Every question had 300% of me when I asnwered. I didnt have time to finish all the maths questions. But I rememberd that answering all was more important - I had to randomly select answers for the last 4 quesitons
4 hours later, when the exam prompted me if I wanted to see my score. I closed my eyes, gave a prayer to god, asked him to help me pull up my score to 700 - and then pressed on the button.
720 showed up on screen - I acutally gave a scream of delight and tears started streaming thru my eyes. It had been so hard, so painful, so WONDERFUL.....
i sit at home today unable to believe I did it. I feel happy, delighted, but apprehensive - there is still a long way between me and my dream, but the first boulder is out of the way. I have applicaitons to write, lot of work to do, but its amazing what you can accomplish once you set your mind to something, and believethat you will go thru with it, not matter what is thrown your way.
I really hope the details I've written above help others get thru this exam too - all the information I read up on this web site and others really helped me get myself ready, I am just trying to reciprocate in kind.
this blog is specially targetted for people, who think they are average, and who are trying to step up their mind/spirit to go after there dreams - I am an example of that. Dont ever every loose faith in yourself ....
As for me right now - HARVARD, LOOK OUT HERE i COME.....
My Inspiration:
Derek Redmond: Its all about giving it your "all" - its all about completing the race.....
Story: https://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/s ... moments/94
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-MRoIDX ... re=related
Amazing lecture by Randy Pausch - Professor from Carnegi Mellon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teoB65BlGis
The attachment called commitment (any time I feel like giving up, I just read it and I am ready to go again)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If there can ever be a more visual representation of the power of the human spirit and mindto persvere and win against all odds, it will have to be the election of Barack Obama as the Presidentelect of the United States today.
I sit with tears flowing thru my eyes, flicking thru every channel on TV possible, my heart beating vigourously, filled with hope faith and joy, my beliefs, my confidence, and my determination re-fueled re-energized, because what I have lived my life for the last 32 years, seems to have coem true.
The belief that single minded hard work, persistence, as well as the determination to give everything you have to the immediate task in hand, can make dreams come true. That nothing is impossible in life ... that if y ou believe in something with your heart and soul, it is just a matter of time before it will come true.
I am re-inforced adn re-energized when I say "Dont ever give up folks" - we can do anything we set
our minds to.
YES WE CAN!!
-ngufo
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
